Molding for electric wiring.



-1 To. 867,140. I PATENTED SEPT. 24, 1907.

W. H. G. KIRKPATRIGK.- MOLDING FOR. ELECTRIC WIRING.

if ////////////////i///////g//////s STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. G. KIRKPATRICK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO KIRIQ PATRICK MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- TION OF DELAWARE.

MOLDING FOR ELECTRIC WIRING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1907;

Application filed April 27, 1906. Serial No- 313,963-

, To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. G. KIRKPATRICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Moldings for Electric Wiring, of which the following is a specification.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a molding having longitudinal grooves of such size and shape as to permit of wires being readily inserted therein.

A further object of the invention is to arrange at suitable intervals upon the under-side of the molding, keepers, afforded a slidable movement transversely of the molding, for holding the wiring in place.

To these and other ends hereinafter set forth the invention comprises the improvements to be presently described and finally claimed. I

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof and in which Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a molding embodying the invention. Figs. 2 and 3, are transverse sectional views drawn to a larger scale and illustrating various positions of the keeper. Fig.

'4, is a face view of the under side of a molding having three grooves and showing the application of keepers thereto. Fig. 5, is a similar view illustrating a modified form of the invention, and Fig. 6, is a perspective view of a still further modified form of the invention.

In the drawings and referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the molding a, is provided with two or more longitudinal grooves b, upon its under side for the reception of wires 0. These grooves b, are made considerably larger in cross section than the diameter of the wires to enable the easy insertion of the wiring to the said grooves. In Fig. 3, the outer walls of the grooves are aslant to further facilitate the insertion of the wires. Between the grooves is a partition a mortised at suitable intervals to accommodate interlocking keepers d, which are afforded a slidable movement transversely of the molding and extend beneath the wires 0, and serve to hold them in place. As shown the keepers d, form a dovetail-like connection with the portion (1 of the molding, the under side of the keeper being flush with the under side of the partition a of the molding a.

In practice the partition a, of the molding a, is mortised at suitable intervals by means of a rotary cutter or tool. A keeper d, which is comparatively thin in cross-section and whose length is approximately equal to about half the width of the molding, is then insertedendwise of and at an inclination to the mortised partition and forced in any convenient manner to its place within the said mortised portion. When in proper position the keeper is free to move transversely of, but is not readily removable from the molding.

The keepers (Z, are so arranged that when a wire is to 'be inserted in a groove upon one side of the molding all the keepers are shifted to one side, the wire inserted and the keepers shifted to the other side (see Fig. 2). After inserting the other wire the keepers are slid back again until their respective ends reach the center of the grooves I), thus obviously supporting the wires, whereupon the capping 6, may be secured to place (see Fig. 3). By this arrangement the wiring may be conveniently and expeditiously placed and retained in position. i

In Fig. 4, there is illustrated a molding having three grooves. In such case a pair of keepers may be used at intervals, as shown, one opposite the other. alternative the keepers may be placed in staggered relation, one with the other throughout the longitudinal under side of the molding. In Fig. 5, a slightly modified way of equipping the molding with keepers is shown, wherein the said keepers are arranged diagonally in respect to the plane of the under side of the molding. I e

In Fig. 6, a type of molding is shown wherein the members f, and g, are of approximately the same thickness and whereof the member g, comprises a combined base and capping having longitudinal grooves for the reception of the wires. In the present instance the keepers (1, cause the wires to lie more or less flat within the grooves during the operation of securing the said members f, and g, to a suitable partition, which obviously is advantageous.

I do not intend by the use of any technical terms herein to limit my invention thereby or in any way other than the prior state of the art may require, but

Having thus described the nature and objects of the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A molding of the class described comprising a member equipped with longitudinal grooves having a mortised partition therebetween, an interlocking keeper whose length is considerably less than the width of the molding, fitted to said mortised partition and aiforded a slibable movement transversely of the said molding and means for locking the keeper against removal from said molding.

2. A molding of the class described comprising a member equipped with longitudinal grooves having a partition therebetween, said partition being; mortised diagonally in respect to the plane of the underside of the molding an interlocking keeper whose length is considerably less than the width of the molding, fitted to said mortised pai'fition and afforded a slidable movement transversely of the said molding and means for locking keeper against removal from the molding.

As an A molding of the class described comprising a member equipped with longitudinal grooves, a partition between said grooves, said partition being transversely channeled, the walls of which channel are beveled inwardly, an outwardly beveled keeper whose length is considerably less than the width of the molding, fitted to said channel and afforded a transversely slidable movement therein and means for locking the keeper against removal from said molding.

4. A molding having unmortised side walls and equipped with longitudinal grooves having a partition there-between said partition being mortised a comparatively short keeper fitted to said mortised partition and atforded a slidable movement transversely of the partition but locked against removal therefrom.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

W. H. G. KIRKPATRICK. Witnesses W. .T. JAcKsoN, GRANT C. OSBORNE. 

